On this article we evaluation the newest DAP from the Chinese language model, the FiiO M21, priced at simply $329 USD.
Disclaimer: the FiiO M21 was despatched to us freed from cost by FiiO, in trade for our trustworthy opinion.
FiiO
Based in 2007, FiiO has grown into one of the vital acknowledged gamers within the transportable audiophile world, standing alongside manufacturers like Astell&Kern, iBasso, Meze, or HiBy. From IEMs to headphone amps, DACs, and naturally DAPs, the model has persistently stuffed the market with a formidable listing of award-winning gadgets just like the S15, BTR17, K17, or M15S.
Beginning out as a “Chi-Fi” producer, providing inexpensive but surprisingly strong gear, FiiO steadily climbed the ladder over time. A lot that it’d be onerous to name them something however Hello-Fi these days, with top-tier fashions just like the K19 desktop DAC/amp or the FiiO M17 – nonetheless on my desk as much as this present day.
A tremendous, if not the very best participant you will get on this value vary – so long as you’re okay to hold this little brick with you – that was gifted an “Headfonia Award” as the very best DAP in its class, because of its superb performances, sheer energy, and unmatched versatility.
However, as you’d anticipate, excessive efficiency got here at a excessive price – $1,799 USD exactly – making the M17 out of attain for many audiophile customers, the one different, transportable, high-end possibility the model affords being the Q7, a DAC-AMP that also wanted a supply to be utterly potent. Positive, you can get the FiiO M15S, however at $999 USD, this participant wasn’t designed to be mid-range king – slightly high-end the truth is.
Then got here two new fashions :
- the FiiO M23, a revamp of the model’s earlier best-sellers, the M11 collection, praised for his or her distinctive value/high quality ratio, providing all the great options of the old-gen, with some extra enhancements. However, with an asking value set at $799 USD, many would say that the M23 isn’t… inexpensive, but,
- and, the FiiO JM21, the primary actual non secular successor of the FiiO M9: an entry degree DAP, embedding a dual-dac setup, capable of stream from all of the hi-res platforms and, extra importantly, a sub-$300 value.
A spin-off from the earlier M1X collection that also missed a successor to the M11S/M11. One that might slot between these two gamers? The FiiO M21. Excellent news, that is the participant we’ll evaluation at the moment!
A brand new reference for FiiO followers and audiophiles? Time to seek out out.
FiiO M21
“Proper in between”, that was my first impression once I first seemed on the FiiO M21.
In reality, if the JM21 was an entire makeover – introducing a complete new design -, the M21 feels much more conservative on this facet, borrowing from each the JM21, and M23. Nonetheless, I received’t complain, the participant carrying the model’s typical premium construct, with just some variations from the unique design.
A design that effortlessly withstands the comparability with its larger siblings, because of its screwless design, impeccable rounded corners, completely built-in I/O and discrete golden accent on the playback/quantity button. On a great be aware, the M21 additionally ditched the carbon-fiber sample for its again panel and changed it with a frosted glass slab, delivering a greater grip with the identical elegant impression.
As typical with the model, the construct high quality is totally flawless, with no gaps and premium supplies anyplace your eye can see and your hand’s contact. Entrance panel? Oleophobic glass. Again panel? AG Frosted glass. The case? Neat, CNC’ed, polished golden or deep blue aluminum with enhanced coating that offers that refined, however pleasant premium contact.
Prime that with flush buttons, outlining the seamless design that FiiO pushed during the last years and also you get a participant that feels each fashionable and pure.
Measurement-wise, the FiiO M21 is now somewhat smaller than the M23: 121 mm tall, 68mm large and 17 mm thick for 193 g on the dimensions (extra should you take the very good Okay-7 case). Dimensions that fall proper in between the JM21 and M23 making the newcomer quite a bit simpler to hold than its predecessor.
But, if I had no issues becoming the participant in my (comparatively) massive pockets, some may favor a slimmer machine.
Structure
In typical FiiO trend, the M21 builds upon the identical design and idea because the M23 – which is an excellent factor.
On prime you’ll discover:
- a 4.4mm pentaconn output, to attach your balanced headphones/IEM
- a 3.5mm jack, mixing line/headphone/digital output in a single single port
On the left aspect you now have:
- the basic energy on/off button
- quantity up / quantity down buttons
- the multi-function key (fairly helpful)
- a machine mode swap, (un)locking the desktop mode when paired with a PD supply
- the well-known maintain button, utterly locking the participant when wanted
On the appropriate aspect, you get:
- prev/subsequent and play/pause buttons
And eventually, on the backside get:
- a knowledge/cost USB port,
- a cost solely USB Port, the one unlocking the Dekstop mode,
- the well-known micro-SD slot
A pleasant I/O for a participant on this value vary!
Display
Smaller than the standard 5.5” IPS show discovered on higher-end fashions, the FiiO M21 options the identical display discovered on the JM21: a 4.7” TFT display boasting 750×1335 pixels and a “bezel-less” design. The only real distinction? The display is now laminated, which means there’s no hole between the glass and the show, making the picture barely crisper and brighter.
And if not astounding, the M21 display remained removed from disappointing. I discovered it clear and simple to learn, offered you’re not standing straight underneath daylight, the place it could struggles a bit, and I by no means had any points throughout my few weeks of use.
Clearly, the M23 affords a superior show, with higher brightness and viewing angles, however let’s take into account that the M21 comes at a lower cost, so I received’t complain.
Contained in the field
Opposite to the M17 and M15S, and just like the JM21, the FiiO M21 bundle was fairly dire.
Within the field you get:
- the FiiO M21
- a silicone case (pretty one although)
- an USB-C to USB-A cable
- some documentations
- and… that’s it!
So yeah, FiiO wasn’t very beneficiant with this one, however there’s a twist. Bought individually, you will get a Okay-7 case which, cleverly, mimic the CP13 and the previous Walkman design. In reality, FiiO push issues method past what I excepted:
- first, the case made from the identical aluminium discovered on the M21, it additionally comes with true bodily button that behave like a real cassette participant and a tapered glass door mounted on a lid,
- but it surely additionally comes with a three-pin socket, specifically design to match the M21, that routinely swap the cassette mode on the participant, locking the display and unlocking the button,
And, even when I’m not likely keen on cassette gamers, I needed to say that I used to be very impressed by the staff’s dedication on this one. This Walkman case is totally outshining the leather-based one (additionally bought individually)
The article continues on Web page two, after the press right here, or after the soar.
